Reviews - Spiral | The StoryGraph

2.34k reviews for:

Spiral

Bal Khabra

3.81 AVERAGE

ndthomason's review against another edition

4.0

emotional lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

declan_spaghetlan's review against another edition

4.25

funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

allys__sun's review against another edition

3.0

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

mspraul's review against another edition

3.5

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

cyoussef11's review against another edition

4.5

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and really have no big criticisms. I will say the celibacy plot-line was a little dramatic and went on for longer than I expected but overall I think everything turned out the way it should have

sunflower_hjordis's review against another edition

3.75

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

vicg_b31's review against another edition

3.75

funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

As an oldest daughter who worries about keeping everyone happy and also worrying that I’m way too much work, this was very relatable. So thankful to the partner I also found who takes off so much of that burden and reminds me that I’m not too much.

The romance was very sweet and Elias is wonderful (if a bit one-dimensional). I really appreciate how in Bal Khabra’s novels she doesn’t do a third act breakup just for the drama. The drama in the books comes from the external world around them, but communication stays open enough between the main couple that it doesn’t unnecessarily break them up. I really like that.

I wish Sage’s race and the impact that has on her experiences was more explicitly addressed - I feel like it did a disservice to her character to not acknowledge the barriers she would face as a Black ballerina, or the extra scrutiny she would face as a Black woman dating a white professional athlete. I appreciate that her entire character wasn’t simplified down to one aspect of her identity, but it felt like it was just put to the side and not given the opportunity to add more depth to her character.

Content Warnings